Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1887-11-13


flesh on the right side Of the body led
to an examination of the cause OF the
disease. A pinkish tint spread over
the skin. 1t deepened into redness
like erysipelas. Oni the boys right
finger was found a scratch and pune
ture, which had festered red. DIR.
Darling questioned the youngster as
to how he came by the scratch. He
could barely remember that on the
night when he had carried his dog to
bed he had a struggle with the animal
to keep it under the clothes. While
irving to prevent the dog from jump
ing out of the bed it had taxed hold OF
his finger with its teeth. 1t was
much like the animals ordinary
play in the daytime, and the bite had
not hurt him. But in this single snap
OF the jaw, which to the lad was harm
less and natural, the physician found
the eau e of his sore disease. The dog
had bitten the boy probably in the
last spasm preceding death, and had
poisoned him with some sort OF virus.
All the symptoms had indicated blood
poisoning. but up to this time 1t had
remained doul tful because of the lack
of knowledge Of how the pus could
have gotten into the boys system. 1t
remained now to counterfeit the poi
son and save the lads life if it could
be done.
Every effort was made to keep up
the bows strength and eliminate the
poison from the blood. Warm fomen-
tations were applied to the right arm
and side. The patients terrible
thirst was quenched by ice and soda
water. Beef tea and other forms OF
nourishment were given at brief in
tervals. Brandy was given to
strengthen the hearts action and
opium to quiet the pain.
DRAWING OUT THE PUs.
Bright red spots appeared in place S
on the arm and side. Other portions
of the skin became paler, indicating
that there was decomposition going
on, and soon there would be ulcera-
ton. The ulcers appeared even sooner
than had been anticipated, but the
physician was ready for them. AS
soon as the pus localized an incision
was Immediately made at the spot,
and the pus was allowed to flow out.
Then drainage tube was put in the
wound. Pus formed with alarming
rapidity. In three / ours twelve in
cisions were made on the arm below
the elbow, an drain tubes were in
serted in e; Oh. The pus flowed from
the tubes steadily, but did not de-
crease in quantity. Openings were
made in The arm above the elbow as
fast as the discoloration indicated the
necessity, and in eleven hours thirty
three tubes were used. This large
number eff openings gave free vent to
the pus flow and the quantity dimin-
ished The intense heat OF the arm
was al 80 reduced.
But the favorable symptoms were
only temporary. The pus tract still
kept extending until the large watery
swelling on the right side of the body
seemed to be little more than reser-
voir of foul, malignant pus. The free
incisions were kept up in the locality
indicated on the skin as being the
seat of the poisoning, beginning at a
point Just below the ribs. The incis-
ions were not extended through the
abdominal wall, as it was not be-
lieved that there was any discharge
into the abdominal space, because
of the absence of peritonitis.
Usually in pus formation the
pus will burrow through the
muscles and will find vent at the
lowest portion of the diseased tissue.
but in this case it would not. The in
cisions had to be made all over the
chest, side and back, until in all there
were seventy-four drainage tubes
sticking into the flesh. There was lit
tie hope of saving the boys life, be-
cause of the great tax on his vitality.
but there was youth in his favor and
the best possible care. The patient
was watched every moment. A ply
stefan, specially detailed for the pur-
pose, sat at his side and reported to
DR.. Darling even the slightest change
in his condition or SYMPTOMS.
The system of drains fortunately
took away the pus faster than il
formed. This gave the life principle
an opportunity to assert itself in the
diseased tissue. The result was that
the tissue slowly dried and assumed a
comparatively normal condition. Ma
ture had terrific struggle and came
out ahead. The bad symptoms Of
the disease gradually abated. The
patient was left greatly reduced and
Frustrated. But science had tri-
umphed. Tonics and a liberal diet
slowly built up the boys strength un-
til he stood again on safe ground. He
is not yet thoroughly we'll, although it
is some months since he was bitten.
Abcesses are still forming, but their
number is decreasing and the flow Of
pus is less and less. As he grows
stronger all the pus will have been
driven from his body. 1t may take "a
year to effect his full recovery, but he
is safely out of danger. When it is
considered what grip death had on
him the case is remarkable for its Sue
cessful termination.-[St.Louis Globe
Democrat.
A STORY OF SUMNER.